REHEARSALS are now well underway for Cotswold Arcadians’ production of Shakespeare’s Pericles to be performed in the beautiful grounds of Hatherop Castle, Gloucestershire from July 25-29.

Pericles, Prince of Tyre is a swashbuckling adventure story, complete with kings and queens, handsome princes and beautiful princesses, marauding pirates, wicked stepmothers, sleazy lowlife and mysterious wizards; it offers shipwreck, plague, kidnap, murder, hope and despair, love and loss.

The large cast of Cotswold Arcadians has seen a number of new members join the group, the youngest being a 16 year-old currently taking her GCSEs and a 19 year-old student on a gap year.

Others of varying ages already have some Shakespearean experience, including with the Cotswold Players at the Playhouse in Stroud.

These include a lady who used to work in musical theatre as a professional (now working with medical students developing communication skills), a gentleman who says he’s older than people realise but young enough, in spirit, to play "middle aged" parts and a lady who works for a charity which visits primary schools all over Gloucestershire delivering health and drugs education (using drama, lighting effects and puppets).

Another member of the group is semi-retired and has been working as a college lecturer in politics, anthropology and history over the past few years.

Several of these newcomers to the Arcadians have been inspired by being in the audience for previous productions, including last year’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

  • For tickets visit arcadians.org or telephone 01285 898019.